Hurricane Melissa: Travel impact.

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa became the first Category 5 hurricane on record to make landfall in Jamaica, slamming into the southern coast near New Hope, Westmoreland Parish, with sustained winds of 185 mph and a central pressure of 892 mb. The storm carved a path of devastation across the island’s western half, leaving tens of thousands displaced, critical infrastructure crippled, and the travel landscape across the Caribbean rewritten overnight.

To help you make sense of the situation, here’s a quick look at how the storm has affected different parts of travel — from flights and cruises to hotels and on-the-ground safety.

The Storm and Its Immediate Aftermath

Melissa’s landfall brought 15 to 30 inches of rain, storm surges of 9 to 13 feet, and winds that ripped roofs off an estimated 120,000 buildings — homes, schools, and public facilities included. Early assessments counted 45 fatalities and more than 626,000 people affected, with tens of thousands displaced. Black River Hospital was destroyed, forcing the evacuation of 92 patients. Over 450 schools — nearly two-thirds of the national total — sustained damage ranging from lost roofs to structural collapse. The World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank estimate physical damage at US$8.8 billion.

Kingston, on the island’s southern coast, was spared the worst, but western Jamaica experienced what Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz described as “total devastation.” A complete communications blackout swept the region, cutting phone and internet lines. Over 70 percent of the island temporarily lost electricity.

In Cuba, Melissa weakened to a Category 3 before making landfall Wednesday, bringing storm surges of 10 to 15 feet and up to 3 feet of rain. The storm then continued toward The Bahamas as a Category 2 and was projected to reach Bermuda with tropical-storm-force winds of 60 to 80 mph before possibly affecting Canada’s Atlantic coast later in the week.

Airport Closures and Flight Waivers

Jamaica’s airports closed as the storm made landfall Tuesday. At the peak, Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) saw 90 percent of flights canceled, according to FlightAware. Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) had 71 percent canceled, and Providenciales (PLS) in Turks and Caicos saw 63 percent. Airlines quickly issued travel waivers allowing passengers to rebook without change fees.

American Airlines allowed passengers traveling through the Caribbean between October 25 and November 1 to rebook flights to or from affected airports — including MBJ, KIN, OCJ, GGT, HOG, PLS, SCU, and XSC — with no change fee. All changes had to be booked by November 1, and travel must occur within one year of the original ticket date. Check American’s travel alert page for the full list.

Delta Air Lines covered travel between October 25 and 30, allowing rebooking in the same cabin class for travel by November 2 with fare differences waived. Affected airports: KIN, MBJ, and PLS. See Delta’s Hurricane Melissa policy.

United Airlines gave passengers traveling to or from affected airports between October 25 and 31 the ability to reschedule with no change fees or fare differences. Rebooked flights had to depart between October 23 and November 7, between the same cities and in the same fare class. Affected airports: GCM, MBJ, NAS, PLS. United also allowed travelers with flights to Bermuda between October 3 and November 2 to reschedule without penalties. View United’s travel alerts.

Southwest Airlines allowed fliers heading to or from Montego Bay between October 25 and 30 to reschedule without paying a change in airfare, with travel occurring within 14 days of the original ticket. Southwest’s travel advisory has details.

JetBlue offered cancellation or rebooking without change fees or fare differences for flights to or from PLS from October 28 through 30 (new travel by November 5), and for flights to or from KIN and MBJ from October 25 to 31 (new travel by November 8). See JetBlue’s travel alerts.

Note: If your airline cancels your flight, you’re entitled to a full cash refund — not just a voucher. Always ask for the refund option if you prefer not to rebook.

Cruise Itinerary Changes

Major cruise lines rerouted ships to avoid the hurricane’s path. Carnival Cruise Line made changes to five vessels. The Carnival Celebration canceled visits to Grand Turk (Oct 28) and Amber Cove (Oct 29), substituting Cozumel, Mexico. The Carnival Dream scrapped its Montego Bay call on Oct 29. The Carnival Liberty replaced stops at Montego Bay (Oct 29) and Grand Cayman (Oct 30) with Mahogany Bay, Honduras, and Belize. The Carnival Sunrise swapped Grand Turk (Oct 30) for Nassau, and the Carnival Vista replaced Amber Cove (Oct 30) with Nassau. Carnival’s weather update page has the full list.

Royal Caribbean Group adjusted two itineraries. Icon of the Seas repositioned its October 25 Eastern Caribbean sailing to the Western Caribbean, swapping St. Thomas and St. Maarten for Roatan and Cozumel. Celebrity’s Beyond replaced Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts with calls to Costa Maya, Belize, and Roatan.

Hotel and Resort Policies

Resorts across Jamaica helped travelers shelter in place during the storm. Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection — which includes Dreams Resorts and Secret Resorts — placed all properties in the storm’s path under shelter-in-place orders. All staff and guests were reported safe. Hyatt’s storm policy waives no-show and cancellation fees for guests unable to arrive due to airport closures and flight cancellations. Affected travelers can take the first available flights after the storm and stay the same number of nights originally booked, or receive a refund for the unused portion. Guests can also reschedule through the end of 2025 at the same rates, subject to availability. Read Hyatt’s storm policy for specifics.

Beaches and Sandals — operating 20 resorts across 10 Caribbean islands, including Jamaica and The Bahamas — confirmed all guests and team members were safe. The company began comprehensive property assessments and is proactively contacting travelers with reservations over the next two weeks. Flexible rebooking options are available. Guests can call 1-800-SANDALS for assistance. Sandals’ official statement has more detail.

In The Bahamas, most hotels remained open, and northern islands — including Nassau and Freeport — were operating normally, per Visit Bahamas.

How to Help and Ongoing Recovery

Several organizations are on the ground in Jamaica. World Central Kitchen mobilized to serve meals to affected families. United Way of Jamaica is partnering with local groups to provide food, water, and shelter. American Friends of Jamaica launched a $1 million matching fund for relief and recovery. CORE is mobilizing resources across the region, and Direct Relief has shipped medical aid and has pre-positioned caches throughout the Caribbean.

For travelers considering a visit now, the U.S. Department of State rates Jamaica Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to violent crime and limited police response capacity — issues that predate the hurricane but have been exacerbated by uneven recovery. Western parishes, especially Black River and parts of Montego Bay, still face intermittent utility disruptions and slower emergency response. Travelers should carry identification at all times, as police maintain frequent checkpoints along main tourist corridors. Standing water in certain areas continues to pose risks of water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases.

Before You Go — Hurricane Melissa Travel FAQ

Is it safe to travel to Jamaica right now?

The island is open for business and major infrastructure has largely resumed, but security risks remain elevated. The U.S. State Department’s Level 2 advisory reflects ongoing violent crime and post-hurricane recovery gaps. Stick to well-touristed areas and avoid western parishes that are still in the later stages of rebuilding — especially after dark.

International SOS’s post-hurricane analysis provides a detailed breakdown of current conditions and recommended precautions.

What if my flight or hotel is canceled?

If your airline cancels your flight, you’re entitled to a full cash refund. Most major carriers — American, Delta, United, Southwest, and JetBlue — also offered flexible rebooking windows for flights affected between October 25 and early November. Hotels like Hyatt and Sandals have waived cancellation fees for storm-related disruptions. Contact your provider directly as soon as you know your plans have changed.

For a broader look at how Caribbean destinations are rebounding, you can read our roundup of Caribbean trip hits and misses for context on what travelers are experiencing across the region.

Can I still take a cruise to the Caribbean?

Cruise itineraries have been rerouted, but ships are still sailing. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity all moved port calls away from affected areas. If your cruise was scheduled to dock in Jamaica, Grand Turk, or Amber Cove, check your line’s website for the revised schedule. Most lines are offering flexible rebooking for passengers who prefer to change their sailing entirely.

How can I help communities affected by the hurricane?

Donations to World Central Kitchen, United Way of Jamaica, American Friends of Jamaica, CORE, and Direct Relief all go directly to food, water, medical aid, and shelter for families in need. Each organization is actively working on the ground in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

Moving Forward

Hurricane Melissa reshaped Jamaica’s travel landscape overnight, but the island’s recovery is already underway — airports are open, hotels are welcoming guests, and relief organizations are delivering critical support. For travelers, the key is staying informed, verifying each booking before you go, and respecting that some areas are still rebuilding. If you’re weighing other Caribbean options for your next trip, see which island is trending now for a look at destinations that have been less affected this season.

References

International SOS. “Hurricane Melissa Aftermath: Jamaica.” International SOS, 2026. ↗

CNTraveler. “How Hurricane Melissa Is Impacting Travelers and Local Communities.” Condé Nast Traveler, 2025. ↗

If you’re planning future Caribbean travel, our guides on Delta’s new nonstop flights to Aruba and what to do when Aruba flights are delayed offer practical tips for smoother trips. And for a deeper dive into how mindful tourism is reshaping the region, this piece on Aruba’s mindful tourism approach is worth a read.